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The First Perak Library
This picture potrays the first Ipoh Library which was the culmination of the labour of love of many spirited and devoted citizens of Ipoh. It goes back to the 1920s when its seed was first planted in a room of the Ipoh Town Hall. Under the aegis of the Ipoh Rotary Club, it was first called the “Ipoh Juvenile Library”, to cater for the needs of school children. It was then renamed the “Ipoh Library”. The library was managed by the Rotarians.
After the Liberation from the Japanese, some salvaged books and a few rickety shelves were supplied through the courtesy of the Public Relations Department (now Department of Information) and housed in a corner of their office in Brewster Road. The aim was actually to build a two-storey building but then since the funds were not enough, they decided to build the first storey only. The building was officially opened by His Highness Sir Yusuff Izzudin Shah in 1951.
Much information, books and other valuable data came from the United States Information Service, the British Council, the Rotary Club of Ipoh and other individuals.
In a memorandum, in 1954, there was a proposal for the second storey to be built. Fortunately for the Library, the Mentri Besar, himself its President, and himself being a great lover of books shared their aspirations. The State Government donated $20,000 and an interest-free loan of another $20,000 and the extended library was built.
The Library is an unending story, for knowledge knows no frontiers, nor is it the monopoly of one people.
To read more about The Ipoh Town Hall, click here.